Tool Holder Greasing Unit for Uniform Sliding Contact Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing bending systems face challenges in efficiently and consistently applying grease to the sliding contact parts of tool holders, leading to wear and affecting processing accuracy, with the current methods being time-consuming and prone to variation in application state.

Innovation Solution

A greasing unit that moves in the left-right direction, supported by a holder on the press brake's table, includes a greasing unit main body and an application member shaped to match the sliding contact parts, allowing for easy and uniform grease application by moving the unit between positions on the table.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If grease is applied manually with a brush to the sliding contact part, then the wear of the sliding contact part can be suppressed, but the work is extremely troublesome and time-consuming with variation in application state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear suppression of sliding contact partVSAvoidease of grease application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The greasing unit is designed to automatically apply grease to the sliding contact part without manual intervention. The application member is automatically impregnated with grease and moved into contact with the sliding contact part, enabling the system to perform its own maintenance function and eliminating the need for manual greasing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The application member serves as an intermediary between the grease storage and the sliding contact part. It is impregnated with grease and then brought into contact with the sliding contact part, providing a controlled and consistent grease application mechanism that eliminates the variability of manual brushing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual greasing is performed, then some grease application is achieved, but variation occurs in the application state and wear prevention is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of grease applicationVSAvoidtime for grease application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated greasing system performs the greasing operation autonomously without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating time loss and ensuring consistent application state through controlled movement and impregnation of the application member

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The greasing unit can be operated continuously or periodically to maintain the sliding contact part, ensuring consistent grease application over time without the interruptions and variability inherent in manual greasing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient and consistent grease application to the sliding contact parts, reducing wear and simplifying the process while maintaining uniformity, thereby improving the accuracy and longevity of the tool holders.

Implementation Method 1

supply grease to a sliding contact part that is a part of a tool holder of the press brake and is in sliding contact with the tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4043119B1Bending system with greasing unit
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 AMADA CO LTD
  • EP4043119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bending system 10 includes a greasing unit 100 configured to move in a right-left direction by way of a moving operation of an external operation member 68 and to supply grease to a sliding contact part of a tool holder 30, and a greasing unit holder 102 provided on one side in a right-left direction of a table 26 and configured to support the greasing unit 100. The greasing unit 100 includes a greasing unit main body 106, and an application member 108 provided on the greasing unit main body 106 and formed in a shape corresponding to the sliding part of the tool holder 30, the application member 108 being configured to be able to be impregnated with the grease.